Asthma

What is asthma?

Asthma occurs when the main air passages of the lungs (the bronchial tubes) become inflamed
and narrowed. The muscles of the bronchial walls tighten, and cells in the lungs produce extra mucus that further narrows the airways.
This makes it difficult to breathe, leading to coughing, wheezing, and trouble sleeping.

A serious asthma attack can be life-threatening.

Asthma is a chronic but treatable condition. Many people have reduced the severity and frequency of attacks and gone on to lead a
normal, active life.

Incidence of asthma

The prevalence of asthma has increased significantly since the 1970s, especially among children. It now affects up to one quarter
of urban children. In 2010 asthma affected 7% of the population of the USA, 6.5% of all British people and a total of 300 million
worldwide. It causes 250,000 deaths globally and 4,000 deaths per year in the USA. (1,10)

The developed (high consumer) countries of the world (USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand) have 20 to 60 times more cases of asthma
per 100 people than the poor, less developed, low consumption countries. (11)

Asthma is quite common among top athletes, with 15% of the participants in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games diagnosed with asthma
and 10% of them on asthma medications. It is most prevalent in high-respiration sports such as cycling, mountain biking, and
long-distance running.

Symptoms of asthma

Symptoms are often worst early in the morning, at night, or on exposure to cold air.

Causes of asthma

Conventional medicine and doctors are not clear about the causes of asthma, thinking it is likely to be a combination of environmental factors, genetic factors, and epigenetic factors.

Excessive hygiene. The rich, developed, high consumption countries of the world have twenty to sixty times more
cases of asthma per 100 population than the poor, less developed low consumption countries of the world. (11) If you have ever lived
in a poor country, you will be familiar with everyday exposure to animals, foods direct from the farm, sea or abattoir, and lack of
general cleanliness. Ironically, it is these conditions that set up a healthy immune system.
Asthma is one result of reduced exposure to a wide variety of different bacteria and viruses in over-clean households.
For example:
Exposure to cat and dog allergens during the first few years of life substantially reduces the risk of getting asthma in later
years. (4,5,6)
Families with many children tend to have lower levels of asthma. (7)

Antibiotics damage the gut biome (the delicate balance of microorganisms). (8) A study (14) published in September 2015 found that the lack of four bacterial strains in infants actually causes asthma. These essential bacterial strains are usually killed off by antibiotics given to the infant, or were never received by the infant in the first place due to a caesarean birth, lack of breast feeding or excessive hygiene. The four types of bacteria were faecalibacterium, lachnospira, veillonella and rothia.

Caesarean birth. A 20-80% increase in risk of asthma is attributed to the lack of this initial once-in-a-life
healthy bacterial colonisation from passage through the vagina. (9, 14)

Lack of or insufficient breast feeding. Breast feeding helps build up a wide range of healthy gut bacteria in the infant, and enables a healthy and responsive immune system to develop. Breast fed infants have a significantly different intestinal microbial biome, and an immune system that is strengthened for life. (13, 14)

Polyunsaturated vegetable oils. Oils made from seeds and legumes, which are high in a variety of toxins that
particularly cause digestive disorders. They are also high in omega-6 fats which are excessive in the modern diet and associated with
asthma, allergies, runny nose and skin rashes. (12) These oils are the golden vegetable oils on supermarket shelves - corn, canola,
cottonseed, safflower, sunflower, soy. (Note: unprocessed coconut,
olive and palm oils are healthy oils).

Prevention / remedies / treatment for asthma

More than half of children diagnosed with asthma will fully recover within a decade.

Probiotics. In particular, supplementation with bacterial strains of faecalibacterium, lachnospira, veillonella and rothia. (14) A faecal transplant would probably also provide these essential bacteria.

Mould and damp-free rooms with proper ventilation in which to live, work and sleep.

Diet high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. This means a wide range of fresh vegetables (especially raw salad vegetables), a limited amount of fruit (fresh berries and sour citrus are great), and in general the type of diet recommended in Grow Youthful.

5. Ownby DR, Johnson CC, Peterson EL.
Exposure to dogs and cats in the first year of life and risk of allergic sensitization at 6 to 7 years of age.
2002. JAMA 288 (8): 963-972. doi:10.1001/jama.288.8.963. PMID 12190366.

Disclaimer
The information and suggestions in this website are intended for educational purposes only. Their intention is to encourage the reader to think, and to question current medical practices and advice, and other aspects of our modern way of living. They do not offer medical advice or diagnosis, or prescribe the use or discontinuance of any remedy or treatment, directly or indirectly, without the knowledge and cooperation of the visitor's doctor or health professional. Sick people, or those with chronic or persistent symptoms should seek the advice of a doctor or health professional. Only use the information and suggestions in this website under their supervision. What you read here is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment. The author, publisher, distributor, and any of their agents or employees disclaim all responsibility or liability in connection with the accuracy of and use of the information and suggestions in this website.